Hello everyone! My name is Margie. I have just completed my pre-surgery tests and appointments and I am waiting for final approval from my insurance to set a date for surgery. I am 61 years old, 4'11" and weighed 260 when I went for my first appointment with the bariatric group. I elected to have the gastric bypass as opposed to the gastric sleeve because I felt I had at least 100 pounds to lose. Of course, now that's it's getting closer to scheduling the actual surgery date I am getting nervous and questioning whether the bypass is the best choice. I think I'm just nervous because of my age and because the bypass seems more intrusive than the sleeve. But, I'm also anxious to move on to the next phase. Since I met with the dietitian about 4 weeks ago I've lost about 10 pounds so I have been changing my food choices and I'm trying to make this work. Any words of encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated!
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- Thread starter Mrita
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3momchaos
Member
Welcome! Happy you are here. I am having the bypass in a few weeks. I am also nervous about the next phase, but it’s an excited nervous. I have been overweight most of my life, and since starting this process in January I’ve lost almost 25 by also starting to make food changes. I think nerves are totally normal. I am starting a new relationship with an old, but not always so great, friend: food. But I am happy to move on because I am finally prioritizing my health. My knees, hips, back, and ankles are always killing me. I’m 37, and I don’t want a knee replacement before I’m 50. Taking care of myself this way is the ultimate gift to me.
Thank you for the welcoming note! I also have trouble with my knees, or actually one knee in particular. I have to constantly take the stairs in my building and I am finding it harder and harder to walk up without having to stop and give my knee a rest before continuing on. For me there are also a lot of other little things that have motivated me to take this step. My main motivation is my health, of course, but I'd also like to find clothes that fit me well, not struggle to tie my shoes or crouch to reach a low shelf, fasten a seat belt, things like that. I love your attitude that this is the ultimate gift to yourself. You are right, it is the ultimate gift!
JudyNY
Member
Hi Mrita, welcome! I am 67 and had gastric sleeve this past June. I think I had some of those feelings too, should I get the bypass instead? But I stuck with the original plan, not saying that is the right thing but just saying I understand how you can second guess yourself. I'm glad to hear you are doing well on the pre-surgery diet. As you probably already know that is important to lose weight before surgery so that your liver shrinks down in size. Once I found that out I was much better at sticking with the pre-surgery diet! Since February I have lost 80 pounds - 40 pre-surgery and 40 post-surgery. And I am walking so much better now than I was before. I wish you all the best. Reach out to us whenever you need to! Good luck!!